Etsy vs Shopify Fees: Which Is Cheaper for Sellers?
Etsy gives built-in demand but charges marketplace fees per sale. Shopify has a monthly cost, lower per-sale friction, and stronger brand control.
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Etsy | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Selling Fee | ~10% per sale baseline | No marketplace fee |
| Processing | ~3% + fixed | ~2.9% + fixed (plan/gateway dependent) |
| Listing Fee | $0.20 per listing | None |
| Monthly Cost | No required monthly platform fee* | From ~$39/month |
| Best For | Discovery and starting out | Brand building and scale |
Fee Breakdown
Etsy is pay-as-you-sell, which helps early-stage sellers with low fixed costs.
Shopify shifts cost to monthly subscription and your own customer acquisition. Over time, this can lower blended fee per order if volume is strong.
Example: Selling a $50 Item
Etsy baseline fee stack can be close to ~10% per order before ad effects.
Shopify per-order fees can be lower, but monthly plan cost must be spread across your order count.
Break-even: When Shopify Becomes Cheaper
A simple rule: Shopify tends to win once your monthly order volume is high enough that subscription cost per order becomes small versus Etsy marketplace fees. Below that point, Etsy is often easier and cheaper to start.
When Etsy Wins
- You are starting and need immediate marketplace traffic.
- You do not want fixed monthly platform cost yet.
- Your catalog is handmade, vintage, or gift-focused.
When Shopify Wins
- You want full brand control and customer ownership.
- You can drive repeat traffic or paid acquisition efficiently.
- Your order volume supports lower blended cost over time.